Copy holders

ABSTRACT

This invention relates in general to holding a book or similar copy of material in a convenient position for the reader, and relates especially to typing books and associated copy materials used in conjunction with typing instruction in classrooms.

United States Patent 1191 Wh te Jul 3, 1973 [54] COPY HOLDERS 833.5523; 17/132285 gausgh gig/452 L6 ,7 l l 45 [761 inventor: Dm|d whyie, 6507 1,811,118 6jl93l 2411/4425 Drlve- Vancouvefl Wash- 98665 1,990,770 2/1935 Bell 248/452 2,034,930 3/1936 Van Alstyne 248/451 [221 1971 2,234,086 3/1941 Rosebraugh 248/441 [2]] Appl. No.: 197,006

Primary Examiner-Roy D. Frazier 52 us. 01 248/452, 40/341, 248/441, Assistant Examiner-ROdney Bonck 248/458 [51] Int. Cl 342d 9/00 57 ABSTRACT [58] Field of Search 248/441, 442.2, 452,

248/458, 451; 211/42, 45, 47; 281/15 3; This mventlon relates 1n general to holding a book or 281/45; 40/341 similar copy of material in a convenient position for the reader, and relates especially to typing books and asso- [56] References Cited ciated copy materials used in conjunction with typing UNITED STATES PATENTS instruction in classrooms. 742,395 10/1903 Colleen 248/442.2 8 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures Patented July 3, 1973 lnvenhr DONALD E. WHYTE COPY HOLDERS The invention consists of a frame column, the base of which is mounted on the writing surface of a desk in such a way as to maintain freedom of movement to swivel around its common mounting point in the same plane as the desk top. The frame column extends from its base mounting upward in a near vertical direction, terminating in a clamp that is mounted at approximately 45. The clamp is designed to grip the binding portion of a book or similar copy material at the prescribed height and angle deemed desirable for the optimum comfort and viewing efficiency of the operator. In addition to serving as a mount for the book clamp, the frame column provides a supportive nose to maintain the book at the proper angle for viewing and secondly, to hold the book open at the perscribed page selected by the operator. The final adjustment required by the operator is to swivel the entire book holder assembly to the position deemed most favorable for displaying the copy material.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The specific need for a holder with which to support instructional books and associated copy materials in typing classrooms is well recognized by typing teachers and curriculum authorities. The need is especially critical in classrooms where several large groups must be served each day. Individual typing stations must be efficiently organized to serve students within the limitations of a very small desk area. The students desk area must be viewed as premium space, with approximately 50 percent of the desk top occupied by the typewriter and the balance being available for displaying the book or associated copy materials.

The book and copy holders currently available for classroom use have been generally inadequate, primarily because they occupy too much desk space, they vibrate off the desk, sometimes get upset or bumped to the floor, and not infrequently get completely separated, along with the book from their assigned desk.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION With the above in mind, this invention provides a simple frame upright, the base of which is mounted to the desk surface and the upper end of the frame is fitted with a clamp to secure the book to the frame. To give the book complete flexibility and subject to fully control by the operator, both the frame-to-desk mount and the clamp-to-book mount revolve three hundred and sixty degrees. The pivotal points are tension loaded to prevent runaway movement. An important feature of the base pivotal point is that it allows the holder and its copy cargo to be easily rotated out of the way when the desk is taken over for activities not requiring the use of the holder. Additionally, the holder always keeps the book suspended above the desk, keeping it from contacting the desk surface, a feature that-is appreciated by those who would require the desk space for other materials. Another feature, made necessary by the design of most typing books, is the action of the revolving clamp which allows the book to be read from front to back and back to front" with equal case;

The above described operations are made possible by a frame that is formed from a single piece of metal strap-stock or the like. With similar simplicity, the clamp is made from channel pieces brought into tension by a set screw or the like.

A primary object of this invention is to support a typing book or similar piece of copy material in the most convenient and efficient position relative to a piece of office machinery for viewing by the operator.

Another object of this invention is to carry out the functions described above with maximum conservation of desk surface area, thus permitting activities not requiring the use of the holder-book assembly.

Another object of this invention is to secure the book to the desk to minimize custodial concerns and replacement expense.

Another object of the present invention is to provide maximum flexibility in allowing the operator to select any page position with equal ease and to allow for reading from front-to-back and from back-to-front.

A further object of this invention is to provide a device of the class described that could be installed and made ready for use with minimum effort and skill.

A final objective of this invention is to create a device of this class described which is inexpensive to produce, light of weight, and requires but a minimum of space for shipping and storage.

These and other important objects will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following specifications, attached drawings, and appended claims.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications may be made in the structural details of this device, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specifications and by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which an example of the invention is shown and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an enlarged cutaway view showing a perspective view of the primary and secondary channel structures that form a clamp when used in conjunction with a set screw or the like.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation showing the desk top in section and the frame structure rising up off the desk surface in a generally vertical manner as to support the clamp at its topmost point and also showing the nose configuration which acts to control the angle of the copy material, also shown.

FIG. 3 shows another elevation which could be called an end view that has a relationship to the side elevation described in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 shows the relative width of the flat strap stock utilized in the frame construction and the length of the two channel pieces that form the clamp. Dash lines depict the rotary outline of the clamp assembly as it follows a pivotal path in relation'to the frame column. Additional dash lines near the base show in a broken sectional view, one of many alternate positions in which the main frame structure can be turned at the option of the operator.

It should be noted that in the accompanying drawings, like numerals are employed to designate like parts mentioned in the descriptive narrative.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, the frame assembly that forms the structural upright member of this copy holding invention is identified by the underlined numeral 10. The clamping assembly illustrated by FIG. 1 shall be referred to by the underlined number 20. To designated the principal upright structural elements, the numeral 1 1 will be used. Each of the elements 11 are members of a single common-strap metal piece that is bent generally in a U shape, the bottom of the U forming a suitable base and pivotal point for the entire copy holder. Vertical elements 11 eventually rejoin each other in such a manner as to close the top of the generally shaped U. The joining of elements 11 is accomplishpd by a single fastener 12 which also provides the pivotal connection between the structural frame member and the clamping assembly 20.

To provide the necessary rigidity required for the structural frame member 10 to perform properly even when excessively overloaded, truss member 13 is employed. Truss member 13, being of the same metal strap material as used in structural elements 11, is also formed into a U shaped to fit into the open frame configuration of structural member 10. Truss member 13 is secured by three fasteners 14 to the structural elements 11.

The elevation views of the supportive nose 15 that controls the angle of the copy material is shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. It can also be seen that fastener 14 securing the truss member to supportive nose 15 has a secondary function of securing the rubber stop 16.

Clamping assembly can be seen in all three FIG- URE illustrations. The larger channel piece 17 is interengaged with the smaller channel piece 18 and the two are held in relative position with a set screw that floats through a drilled hole 19 in channel 18 and proceeds into internally tapped threaded hole 21 in channel 17, the holes in the two channels having been prepared in precise alignment. To make operative, the clamping assembly-must be pivotally mounted to the upper end of inclined surface 22. This is done with the same fastener 12 that joins the two frame members 11 at the uppermost point of the structural frame assembly.

As a final part in this description of the drawings, the

mounting of the structural upright member 10 is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 in relation to a desk surface that is shown in typical sectional cross-hatching. The primary member of this fastener is an externally threaded bolt 23 that passes through a drilled or punched hole in the base of frame member 10, continues through a fender washer 24, through a drilled hole in the table top, through lock washer 25, and is finally terminated with an appropriate internally threaded nut(s) 26.

What is claimed is: 1. A copy holder for use in connection with typewriters comprising a frame upright structure comprising,

a. a relatively rigid length of strap material formed into a generally vertical column comprising, a first generally upright riser member, a base portion, and a second upright riser member of generally inverted L-shape, said base portion joining the lower ends of said upright riser members, and the upper ends of said riser members being joined by a single fastener,

b. said second riser member having a nose portion that extends outward from its generally vertical lines,

c. said strap material also having a mounting fastener centered on said base portion where it receives support from a desk surface on which it is mounted,

d. the upper portion of the inverted L-shaped second riser member being inclined at approximately 45 to the horizontal to provide an inclined surface on which to mount a pivoting holder assembly.

2. The copy holder of claim 1, wherein a one piece reinforcing member of strap material is connected at its ends to said second riser member and intermediate its ends to said first riser member to form a truss type structure.

3. The copy holder of claim 1, wherein said nose portion is formed by the intersecting portions of the inverted L-shaped second riser member, said nose portion thrusting outward to furnish necessary limits to the positioning of copy materials supporting the holder assembly.

4. The copy holder of claim 1, wherein a supportive stop of non-abrasive, shock absorbing, rubber-like material is mounted on said nose portion to support and protect copy material supported on said copy holder.

5. The copy holder of claim 1, wherein said mounting fastner comprises a single bolt fastner to create mounting tension and pivotal action of 360.

6. The copy holder of claim 1, wherein said holder assembly has an upwardly open channel mounted to said inclined surface in a manner that permits 360 rotational action about a pivot point.

7. The copy holder of claim 16, with the addition of a second but narrower piece of channel stradling one leg of said first channel, said first channel having a threaded opening near the center of one leg thereof, said threaded opening receiving a set screw therein, said second channel having a cooperating hole slightly larger than said set screw in one leg thereof for receiving said set screw, said enlarged opening allowing said second channel leg to move freely on said set screw, the outer end of said set screw engaging the other leg of said second channel to provide for holding copy material between said channels.

8. The copy holder of claim 1, wherein said fastener includes an externally threaded bolt and mating locking nuts which produce tension between said base portion and a large flat washer mounted immediately above the desk and directly under the base portion.

. l l I t 

1. A copy holder for use in connection with typewriters comprising a frame upright structure comprising, a. a relatively rigid length of strap material formed into a generally vertical column comprising, a first generally upright riser member, a base portion, and a second upright riser member of generally inverted L-shape, said base portion joining the lower ends of said upright riser members, and the upper ends of said riser members being joined by a single fastener, b. said second riser member having a nose portion that extends outward from its generally vertical lines, c. said strap material also having a mounting fastener centered on said base portion where it receives support from a desk surface on which it is mounted, d. the upper portion of the inverted L-shaped second riser member being inclined at approximately 45* to the horizontal to provide an inclined surface on which to mount a pivoting holder assembly.
 2. The copy holder of claim 1, wherein a one piece reinforcing member of strap material is connected at its ends to said second riser member and intermediate its ends to said first riser member to form a truss type structure.
 3. The copy holder of claim 1, wherein said nose portion is formed by the intersecting portions of the inverted L-shaped second riser member, said nose portion thrusting outward to furnish necessary limits to the positioning of copy materials supporting the holder assembly.
 4. The copy holder of claim 1, wherein a supportive stop of non-abrasive, shock absorbing, rubber-like material is mounted on said nose portion to support and protect copy material supported on said copy holder.
 5. The copy holder of claim 1, wherein said mounting fastner comprises a single bolt fastner to create mounting tension and pivotal action of 360*.
 6. The copy holder of claim 1, wherein said holder assembly has an upwardly open channel mounted to said inclined surface in a manner that permits 360* rotational action about a pivot point.
 7. The copy holder of claim 16, with the addition of a second but narrower piece of channel stradling one leg of said first channel, said first channel having a threaded opening near the center of one leg thereof, said threaded opening receiving a set screw therein, said second channel having a cooperating hole slightly larger than said set screw in one leg thereof for receiving said set screw, said enlarged opening allowing said second channel leg to move freely on said set screw, the outer end of said set screw engaging the other leg of said second channel to provide for holding copy material between said channels.
 8. The copy holder of claim 1, wherein said fastener includes an externally threaded bolt and mating locking nuts which produce tension between said base portion and a large flat washer mounted immediately above the desk and directly under the base portion. 